Every year I set myself a target, usually of about 100, of films to watch. These are new films. Not new, new films. But films that are new to me. Any time I’ve seen a new one, I post a bit of a brain dump of my thoughts on the film here. Enjoy!

Nick Fury of S.H.I.E.L.D. brings together a team of super humans to form The Avengers to help save the Earth from Loki and his army.

I’m going to attempt to do a spoiler free mini review of this film, however, I can’t guarantee that the comments will be spoiler free, so you have been warned!

Avengers Assemble the film that a year ago, I wasn’t all that excited about. I was dreading it a little bit. But then I saw Thor. My excitement level crept up. Marginally. Followed by Captain America. The film itself didn’t really make me look forward to Avengers Assemble, but the post credits trailer did. The teaser trailers and full-blown trailers that have followed since have firmly planted me on the ‘Oh my GOD, I’m so excited!’ bandwagon. Attending the European premiere last week only made sure of the fact that I wasn’t leaving the bandwagon.

With hype levels so high, the film could have hopelessly disappointed me. Or lived up to the hype. Guess what? It completely lived up to the hype and I’m still buzzing now from it. Over 12 hours after seeing the film!

It is an epic comic book film because of all the massive characters involved. Bringing them all together and making them work, while not getting lost, was a huge ask of Joss Whedon. That was my biggest fear for the film. The characters, who are great in their standalone films, will just be watered down versions of themselves in this big team up. This couldn’t be further from the case. What was better, was the interactions between them all. Especially the ones we hadn’t seen before. I loved seeing Captain America butt heads with Iron Man. Then seeing Tony Stark and Bruce Banner as lab partners – loved it! I can’t get over how much fun I had watching all the characters interact with each other.

Did I mention this film was bloody hilarious. Not slapstick bad funny. But genuinely laugh out loud funny. And I rarely laugh out loud! This one did the trick. There are some fantastic one liners. Clark Gregg’s Agent Coulson has some brilliant moments. The dialogue was sharp! I expect nothing less from Joss Whedon on that side of things. I think I rate him more as a writer than a director.

Of the new Avengers, I really enjoyed Mark Ruffalo’s take on Bruce Banner. He had a bit of Eric Bana’s Bruce in him. And the best thing was, was that the Hulk had a bit of Mark Ruffalo’s face. Hulk had some great moments.

The story isn’t anything totally new. Try and bring a team of ‘misfits’ together. Earth in peril. Your average stuff. But it’s all put together so well here. Yes there are some great set pieces, but they never feel like set pieces. The film flows from beginning to end seamlessly. Sure, the film comes in at a staggering 142 minutes, but it never felt long. It never dragged.

Loved having Loki back. He’s grown in crazy, and looked like Tom Hiddleston had fun playing that. There wasn’t all that development or explanation about The Chitauri. They just seemed to be there to make the final epic battle all the more epic. Worked for me. I didn’t care too much. Spent the whole time rooting for my favourite heroes.

The score disappointed me a little. I couldn’t hear a strong theme. Though, I did recognise Captain America’s theme from his standalone film from last year, whenever Cap was on-screen doing his heroics. It sounded like Alan Silvestri was borrowing a lot of what he did for last year’s Captain America film. Sad. Was hoping for a score I could go home and be desperate to listen to over and over again.

I did end up going to see this in 3D. Why? Too impatient to wait for Friday’s ‘normal’ release. A day made all the difference apparently. I could have lived without the 3D. I still don’t think the tech’s there yet. Though, the 3D here was one of the better ones I’ve seen. Still not a fan.

Desperate to see the film again. There’s a lot going on and I just want another chance to soak it all in on the big screen!

(It looks like I’ve rambled on for a good lot longer than I thought I would. AND I was restraining myself – there’s still so much more I have to say. )Rating: 5/5

33 Comments

I’m still buzzing almost 2 weeks later!!! The movie was just so damn good! I can’t remember the last time I paid to see a movie more than once, but I can guarantee that I’ll be paying to see this AT LEAST 2 more times. It was pure unadulterated fun, and something even the non-fanboys or non-fangirls could enjoy.

That’s what I loved the most. I think the screening I went to was a good mix of fanboys/girls and your average cinema goers and there were occasions when the entire audience were either in fits of hysterics or just collectively moved what they’ve witnessed. Everyone “got it”.

It was just so much FUN. But not just fun. It looked stunning. I was very impressed with the CG. Even with my silly 3D glasses on.

My wife has little interest in “comic book” films, but I think I’m taking her to see it for our anniversary next weekend. She is a big fan of action movies, and I think it is a movie she’d really enjoy.

Yes, the CG was very well done. Our screening was in IMAX 3D and although I wasn’t affected one way or the other as far as the 3D went, I thought it was stunning in IMAX. I can’t wait to see it again!!!

Excellent write up Jaina! I’m really looking forward to seeing what Black Widow’s role is with the team and how she personally interacts with them. What you said about the film’s humor is refreshing as well; usually box office hits love going for basic slapstick and it’s great to hear about a film with solid humor and dialogue.

Very nice review, Jaina. I have to wonder, though, is there any hype to this movie? Maybe in the UK, but not in the US. It’s all just manufactured hype in the US. Commercials and product tie-ins and whatever. I only know one person that is excited about this movie. Everyone else is like, “Huh, Avengers, what’s that?” I’m still going with my gut instinct that it will be awful. But I could be wrong. Anyway, good job writing it up and not including any spoilers. Glad you enjoyed the film.

I will say that it is your typical Marvel comic book film. One of the best to come out of Marvel Studios, but I’m betting … it won’t be your cup of tea.

There’s a lot of hype here – maybe it’s the people I know, but we’ve all been pretty hyped about this. We’ve got all the toy tie ins, but not as many ads on TV. Our pay TV movie channels have had an Avengers weekend this weekend – Ang Lee’s Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor and Capt. America all weekend. There’s a lot of excitement about it. Guess, the manufactured hype has worked it’s magic.

Capt. America is definitely a weak one in the group of films. Chris Evans did a good enough job, but the film itself was a bit of a let down. However.. it has grown on me since seeing it on the small screen.

It’s a big comic book film – you’d be a cold person to not fall for it! 😉